Job description The purpose of the job description is to give information to prospective employees about what the job actually involves by giving the purpose of the job and the types of responsibilities and duties that will be expected as part of that job. Usually there are a set of key elements included within the job description which are; title of the job, department and location, broad terms, responsible to whom, responsibilities, scope of the post, education and qualifications, name of compiler and approver, date of issue.
A job description can prevent hiring, promotion and dismissal decisions based on biased criteria. In hiring, following a job description can prevent the interviewer from asking illegal questions. For disciplinary actions or dismissal decisions, following a job description can protect the employer in the event of a lawsuit by a disgruntled employee or ex-employee. Holding employees responsible for job duties that are not in writing may also expose the company legally.
A job description can serve as a drawing card for desirable, qualified candidates. The job description can emphasize the qualities the company is seeking, such as "takes decisive action" or "needs minimal supervision." The job description can also help with the interview process, by serving as a guideline for interview questions. By developing a similar set of questions for each candidate, employers can compare each prospective job seeker against the criteria included in the job description.
Person specification The job description essentially concentrates on providing information about the job. The person specification is a direct contrast; it provides information about the type of person that the organisation is looking for to do the job. The person specification gives a list of requirements, but these relate to the person doing the job. It will have an introduction